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DeChambeau had a busy second day that included
five birdies, five bogeys and a closing eagle for a
two-under-par 68 and a share of first place as he chases a first
major title.
"I was out here last night, I knew it was going to be cooler and
so I waited and was able to hit balls almost in dark," he said.
"I knew it was going to be similar conditions so we got some
good numbers with my wedges and I felt really comfortable
today."
Ahead of the tournament it was not clear how the 27-year-old's
game would work at Winged Foot, which rewards accuracy off the
tee and crafty putting more than sheer power.
But he proved on Friday he has more to his game than just
jaw-dropping drives, and the affable American was brimming with
confidence after grabbing the early lead.
"I feel great," he said.
"Confidence is at an all-time high right now. Driving it well,
iron play is fantastic, wedging is getting better each and every
day, and I'm putting it like I know I can. So I'm very happy."
DeChambeau, who has quietly become one of the best putters on
the PGA Tour, said six-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson
told him before the tournament that he should be prepared to
scramble at the challenging course.
"Phil gave me some great advice. He said when he almost won back
in 2006, he said he had the best short game week of his life, so
that's just a testament to showing that you have to have a great
wedge game out here," he said.
"I feel like my irons are great, the wedges are better, and
short game needs to be worked on just a little bit.
"But I would say it's been good so far, and that's what I'm
going to hopefully do this weekend."
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, Additional reporting
by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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